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SEATTLE, May 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq:VICL) announced today that the company will present a summary of Phase 2 data for the company's TransVax™ therapeutic cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine, and a review of clinical-stage DNA vaccine development programs, both at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, (Seattle – May 18-21).

Alain P. Rolland, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Vical's Executive Vice President of Product Development, is scheduled to present in a session starting at 11:00 a.m. PDT on Thursday, May 19. Dr. Rolland's presentation, "TransVax™ a Therapeutic DNA Vaccine for Control of Cytomegalovirus in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: Results of a Phase 2 Clinical Trial," summarizes results of a Phase 2 trial of the company's TransVax™ vaccine in recipients of hematopoietic cell transplant.

Sean M. Sullivan, Ph.D., Vical's Executive Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is scheduled to present in a session starting at 4:15 p.m. PDT on Saturday, May 21. Dr. Sullivan's presentation, "Clinical Development of Plasmid DNA-based Vaccines for Treatment of Cancer and Infectious Disease," reviews the history and current status of clinical-stage DNA vaccine development.

About TransVax™

TransVax™ is a bivalent DNA vaccine containing plasmids (closed loops of DNA) encoding CMV pp65 and gB antigens for induction of both cellular and humoral immune responses. TransVax™ is formulated with a proprietary poloxamer-based delivery system. TransVax™ has received orphan drug designation in the United States for HCT and solid organ transplant patients.

About DNA Vaccines

DNA vaccines may offer both technical and economic advantages compared with conventional vaccine approaches. DNA vaccines encode certain proteins associated with a target pathogen, rather than using any part of the pathogen itself, and can prime the immune system as well as induce antibody and T-cell immune responses. DNA vaccines contain no viral particles, are non-infectious, and can be administered on a repeat basis without unwanted immune responses. Additionally, DNA vaccines have the potential to achieve proof of concept more quickly and cost-effectively than conventional vaccines, and can be manufactured using uniform methods of fermentation and purification, allowing significantly faster development and production.

Vical researches and develops biopharmaceutical products based on its patented DNA delivery technologies for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases. Potential applications of the company's DNA delivery technology include DNA vaccines for infectious diseases or cancer, in which the expressed protein is an immunogen; cancer immunotherapeutics, in which the expressed protein is an immune system stimulant; and cardiovascular therapies, in which the expressed protein is an angiogenic growth factor. The company is developing certain infectious disease vaccines and cancer therapeutics internally. In addition, the company collaborates with major pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies that give it access to complementary technologies or greater resources. These strategic partnerships provide the company with mutually beneficial opportunities to expand its product pipeline and address significant unmet medical needs. Additional information on Vical is available at www.vical.com .

This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include statements about Vical's DNA vaccine technology and TransVax™ vaccine, as well as the company's focus, collaborative partners, and product candidates. Risks and uncertainties include whether Vical or others will continue development of TransVax™ or other DNA vaccines; whether the company's vaccine candidates will be effective against emerging pathogens; whether any product candidates based on the company's DNA vaccine technology will be shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials; the timing, nature and cost of clinical trials; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market any product candidates; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will succeed in marketing any product candidates; and additional risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.